A triumphant return to the world of City of Stairs. A generation ago, the city of Voortyashtan was the stronghold of the god of war and death, the birthplace of fearsome supernatural sentinels who killed and subjugated millions. Now, the city’s god is dead. The city itself lies in ruins. And to its new military occupiers, the once-powerful capital is a wasteland of sectarian violence and bloody … of sectarian violence and bloody uprisings.
So it makes perfect sense that General Turyin Mulaghesh— foul-mouthed hero of the battle of Bulikov, rumored war criminal, ally of an embattled Prime Minister—has been exiled there to count down the days until she can draw her pension and be forgotten.
At least, it makes the perfect cover story.
The truth is that the general has been pressed into service one last time, dispatched to investigate a discovery with the potential to change the world–or destroy it.
The trouble is that this old soldier isn’t sure she’s still got what it takes to be the hero.
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Bennett has done it again.
After finishing City of Stairs, I thought it just couldn’t get any better than that. It had an amazing setting, a diverse and intriguing cast of characters, and an bone-gripping plot & mystery…and how can you beat that, really?
I wouldn’t say that going into in this book I had low expectations per say, but I prepared myself for disappointment just in case. Because for many authors, they write a kickass first novel, and then ride the high and flop the sequel.
Let’s just say I will never, ever again doubt Bennett. Because this book not only served everything you would want out of a novel, it went above and beyond. I don’t know how he does it, but his stories physically affect me. When, near the end of the book, the Voortyashtani sentinel army is about to descend on Voortyashtan, my heart was RACING. It was nearly 2am, and I could not put the book the book down.
Alright, anyway, let me calm my enthusiasm for a few minutes and try to write a more thorough review for you guys.
Let’s talk characters
Mulaghesh is the star of the show in this book, which I felt was refreshing even though I dearly miss Shara. I loved Mulaghesh in the first book, I thought she was firey and witty and often times was a good comedic break in serious situations. In this sequel, she’s still the fiery & witty Mulaghesh we’ve grown to love, but Bennett starts adding so many layers to her personality that suddenly we see her strengths, her insecurities, why she acts like she does, how she comes to make her decisions. I started to feel as if Mulaghesh was a best friend I’ve known my entire life. She made an excellent main character, brave and compassionate, and I just couldn’t help but to willingly follow her through her “vacation”.
One thing this sequel does lack though, in terms of characters, are the side characters. In City of Stairs, we had a whole diverse CAST of people all involved in the Battle of Bulikov. Whereas in City of Blades, Mulaghesh is the star of the show while all the other characters kind of just all blend together. It doesn’t make me love the story any less, but I really couldn’t identify the differences between the Nadars, Noors, Pandeys, etc. A lot of them had all similar personalities that didn’t really stand out, or were completely out-shined by Mulaghesh. Although Mulaghesh does make up for this fact, it would have been nice to be able to talk about the cast.
Now, to the plot and setting
In Bennett fashion, the plot is very slow building. This may not be to some people’s tastes, but I really quite enjoyed the build. It was foremost a mystery revolving around what the hell happened to Choudry, but the tension builds and what happened to Choudry leads to what’s going to happen to the world.
I really enjoyed the build to the mystery because I could try to decipher things on my own. Instead of throwing all the facts in my face, the author lets one thing lead to another and all the puzzle pieces come together. And just like a puzzle, it is damn satisfying when you finish the novel and can look back at the pieces you’ve gathered and how they all perfectly fit together.
The setting, just like in City of Stairs, is very much intertwined with the plot. They are not two separate entities, they work together. The city, Voortyashtan, is an important facet to your mystery. It’s a city in ruins, trying to reconstruct even though it’s natives refuse to forget their former lives and their former Goddess of War, Voortya. It’s rich in history and legend, which contribute to the mystery just as much as Choudry herself. Who are the sentinels? Why are the dead warriors unwilling to let go?
In conclusion
I highly recommend, and fuck yes I’m reading the next book. I’ve already purchased it in fact, and I can’t wait to see what else Bennett has in store for me.
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